By
Alex Smith |
Cruise passengers are seeking more exclusive experiences with a local touch and a personal feel – something Guernsey’s landscape and people can provide in abundance. The islands’ natural environment provides the perfect location for visitors to get involved in smaller-scale experiences with local food and drink at the forefront of these trends.
VisitGuernsey’s accredited guides and experience providers lead guests on various food and drink experiences in the islands. For example, they can join walking tours that offer opportunities to taste produce from local ‘hedge veg’ honesty stalls and hands-on sessions to forage for natural delicacies including seaweed, which was a staple food item during the occupation of Guernsey in World War II. More luxurious dining is also on offer, including exclusive wine and cheese tastings or fresh seafood and wine pairing experiences with a sea view.
In addition, guests can taste local gin, ale or cider while exploring the local farms and orchards, or they can take a 20-minute ferry to the peaceful, car-less island of Herm for the regular Ale and Cider Festival.
Cruise passengers can participate in multiple other events in Guernsey. Parish farmers’ markets are held in all seasons and there is often an opportunity to meander around the artisan markets at the St Peter Port Seafront Sundays, where local producers and craftspeople showcase their products in the alfresco, waterside location.
While the historic town is in strolling distance of the tender dock, passengers can also use unique transfer services to reach other exclusive experiences and tours in the island.
Nature lovers can take a private charter boat to spot the coastal wildlife, which includes dolphins and seals. Alternatively, cruise guests can drive down winding rural lanes (or ‘ruettes tranquilles’) in Tour Guernsey’s Land Rover or travel around the coastline in a private tuk-tuk.
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.